New Barnoldswick primary head aiming for ‘outstanding’

Will Cook

The newly-appointed headteacher at a Barnoldswick primary school says she aims to make it outstanding.

Michelle Dodgson, who will start as headteacher at Barnoldswick CE Primary School after the Easter holidays, believes the York Street school has what it takes to reach Ofsted’s top grade.

Ms Dodgson will move to the Barlick school from the headteacher position at St Saviour’s Community Primary School in Bacup and met children and staff for the first time earlier this month at an Easter Blessing service at Holy Trinity Church in Barnoldswick.

Acting headteacher Rebecca Moulden will become the permanent deputy headteacher.

Barnoldswick CE Primary will move to its new location in time for the new school year in September behind the West Craven Sports Centre off Kelbrook Road.

At its last Ofsted inspection in September 2011, church school was rated as good with outstanding elements, but Ms Dodgson believes the new location will provide the perfect opportunity for the school to achieve its full potential.

Ms Dodgson said: “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s going to be an exciting new chapter for me working with all the children, meeting all the parents and working with the school.

“There are four new teachers starting in September and I want to develop the staff and develop the church side of the school.

“We are working towards becoming an outstanding school.

“The new facilities are fantastic and there is just so much space. It’s going to be amazing.”

An open day at the new building is planned for September so parents and children can meet the new headteacher and staff familiarise themselves with the new school.